Estate Planning for Cochise County, Arizona Property Owners

For most Cochise County homeowners, the house is what drags an estate into probate. A transfer-on-death deed or a living trust keeps it out—here is how to set up either one and record it locally.

For a Cochise County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Superior Court. The two tools that keep a Cochise County home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the County Recorder, and a revocable living trust that holds title to the property.

Without a recorded beneficiary designation or a trust, Cochise County property passes through the Superior Court — even simple Arizona probates run 4+ months and start with about $306 in filing fees. Arizona also lets owners name a transfer-on-death beneficiary on vehicle titles, which keeps cars out of the same process.

Record a Transfer-on-Death Deed in Cochise County

A beneficiary deed names a beneficiary who receives Cochise County property automatically at the owner's death, without probate. It is recorded with the County Recorder during the owner's lifetime and can be revoked at any time.

Before recording, an Arizona beneficiary deed is signed with notary acknowledgmentA.R.S. 33-405Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. The deed takes effect only if it is recorded before the owner's deathA.R.S. 33-405Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Cochise County are recorded with the County Recorder, led by Billy Cloud, at 1415 Melody Lane, Building B, Bisbee, AZ 85603. Phone: 520-432-8350. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

The County Recorder charges $30 flat, regardless of page count. Recording a 2-page beneficiary deed in Cochise County comes to $30. A beneficiary deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Cochise County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile / CSC / eRecording Partners Network / Data Services Inc.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Cochise County · Billy Cloud

Address

1415 Melody Lane, Building BBisbee, AZ 85603

Fax

520-432-8368

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

E-recording

Available via Simplifile / CSC / eRecording Partners Network / Data Services Inc.
Visit recorder website →

Recording fees

Flat fee (any length)$30
Transfer tax on a TOD deedExempt

A.R.S. § 11-475(A)(1)

Verified September 4, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Cochise County

FirmSierra Vista, AZ

Borowiec & Borowiec, P.C.

Since 1997 · Serves 1 county

Sierra Vista firm founded in 1997 by brothers Joel and William Borowiec, serving Cochise County from its Highway 92 office. Its estate work is planning-side: wills and trusts, listed alongside the firm's personal injury, DUI, criminal defense, and family law practice. Consultations and appointments are offered by telephone or video conference.

PracticesEstate Planning

Office
1723 S Highway 92Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
Virtual consultations

FirmBisbee, AZ

Copeland Law Offices, PLLC

Since 2009 · Serves 3 counties

Estate and probate practice rooted in Bisbee's Cochise County courthouse town, with satellite offices in Glendale and Tucson. Builds estate plans around incapacity and end-of-life direction, then advises personal representatives in Arizona informal probate and guides trustees through trust settlement. A licensed Arizona fiduciary can serve directly as trustee, conservator, guardian, or agent.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateFiduciary Services

Office
2 Main Street, Second FloorBisbee, AZ 85603

FirmTucson, AZ

Lancer Law

Serves 2 counties

Tucson firm serving Sierra Vista and Cochise County through remote meetings and local appearances, including probate administration through Cochise County Superior Court in Bisbee. Guides personal representatives and families through estate administration from initial filings to final distributions, and handles estate and trust litigation.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationTrust Litigationand 2 more

Office
6700 N Oracle Rd, Suite 234Tucson, AZ 85704

Solo PracticeWillcox, AZ

Law Office of Lowell A. Jensen, PLC

Serves 3 counties

Willcox solo practice of Lowell A. Jensen, admitted to the Arizona bar in 1975, serving Cochise County and the neighboring Graham and Greenlee County communities. His State Bar listing covers wills, probate, trusts and estates, alongside bankruptcy, collections, criminal and personal injury work.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate

Office
241 S Haskell AveWillcox, AZ 85643

FirmSierra Vista, AZ

Stachel & Associates, P.C.

Since 2000 · Serves 1 county

Sierra Vista firm serving Cochise County with wills and estate planning, real estate, business law, and civil litigation. Robert Stachel went into private practice in 2000 after serving as in-house counsel for Pioneer Title Agency, and his practice centers on real estate and civil litigation.

PracticesEstate PlanningBusiness LawReal Estate

Office
333 West Wilcox Dr, Suite 205Sierra Vista, AZ 85635

FirmSierra Vista, AZ

Williams Melo, PLC

Since 2013 · Serves 1 county

Sierra Vista firm serving Cochise County, including Benson and surrounding communities, with Spanish-language services available. Handles personal representative appointments, probate administration through estate closing, small estate affidavits, and trust administration. Local travel appointments are available.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 4 more

Office
2107B Paseo San Luis, Suite CSierra Vista, AZ 85635
See all 13 firms serving Cochise County→

Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·

Legal Sources

Data sourced from Arizona statutes and official state code. How we research.

Arizona Estate Planning Articles

Estate planning articles for Arizona.